Has My House Sprung A Leak?

With a wet, humid summer upon us, turn your thoughts to how water-tight your home is and how to tell if it has sprung a leak.

While the main structural elements of your home are already designed to keep water and the elements out (these being the roof, walls, windows and floor) – there are many other areas where your home can sustain water damage. These can range from small inconveniences to major disasters, depending on the amount of water and the cost of the clean-up bill!

Waterproofing is a crucial element to any house built in Australia, and is covered by law, under the Australian standards AS3740 and AS4654.

Excess moisture can cause serious issues:

• Rising damp
• Mould and mildew,
• Bulging walls
• Rotting timber
• Pest infestations and even structural damage.

Some issues with leaking require immediate attention and can be resolved quickly – these include overflowing toilets, a tap with a burst washer or washing machine that has overflowed and flooded the laundry floor.

Hidden leaks can pose a much more serious threat as by the time you see visible signs, significant damage has already been done.

If you have noticed any of the following signs, you should engage a leak detection specialist:

• Excessive water bills or unexplained water meter usage
• Signs of water damage in your floors, ceiling or walls
• Sudden cracking
• Unexplained vegetation growth or soil changes
• Musty, earthy or stale smells, especially close to drains
• Mould, mildew or rot – shower or bath is ok but not on your walls, ceiling or floor.
• Seeping water or wet areas in your floor or walls
• Soft, spongy areas in walls, woodwork or tiling
• A drop in water pressure
• Trickling faucets, dripping showerheads and appliances such as washing machines taking a long time to fill

Have you noticed any of the above warning signs at your property?

A special purpose report from The Home Inspection Hub will check for water leaks, mould and moisture damage, dampness issues, roof problems and watermarks. Our experienced inspectors will give suggestions on what needs to be done to rectify the issue.

Catching an issue early might save you the cost of expensive repairs or even a complete replacement.

Looking for a new home? Don’t just rely on what you see when you view the property yourself.

A pre purchase house inspection or combined pest and building inspection will check the wet areas of a property, such as leaking outside the shower recess, damaged skirting boards and mildew on the bathroom walls and ceiling. Our inspector will check parts of the property which may be affected by water leaks and damage.

A pest inspection can check for signs of existing pest damage and identify  areas which may attract pests and vermin if left untreated.

If you are building a new home, waterproofing  elements should be checked at certain crucial stages throughout the build.

Here are some examples of water damage and leaking identified in reports for our clients: